Kurdish moves in Washington to soften its stance on al-Maliki’s nomination
Kurdish moves in Washington to soften its stance on al-Maliki’s nomination
2026-02-14 09:24
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Political sources said on Saturday that prominent Kurdish leaders have intensified their contacts and efforts in recent days to bring about a change in the US administration’s position regarding Nouri al-Maliki, the candidate of the Coordination Framework, for the next prime ministership.
According to Abu Mithaq al-Masari, a politician familiar with the movements of the Shiite House forces, he confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that “important leaders in the Democratic Party made great efforts to change Washington’s vision and position on the candidate of the Coordination Framework for the premiership, the leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki.”
In this context, a source within the coordination framework told Shafaq News Agency that “one of the Kurdish leaders was sent to Washington to present the nature of the political role played by Maliki within the political process,” adding that “the indications were positive,” as he put it.
The source indicated that “positive messages were sent directly from the US embassy to Maliki during meetings with officials there, during which regional developments were discussed, and Iraq’s role in the region due to its strategic location and its economic and political weight.”
The source concluded by saying that “the coordination framework is awaiting a clear American message regarding support for al-Maliki’s nomination for the next government.”
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is considering appointing a new prime minister for Iraq, and indicated that he has “some options” regarding the matter.
A US State Department official revealed to Shafaq News Agency yesterday that the US administration has a firm stance on the issue of Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, returning to the premiership in Iraq, stressing that this approach will put bilateral relations between Baghdad and Washington on the table for “reassessment”.
It is worth noting that Trump said on January 27, 2026, in a post on the “Truth Social” platform, that the return of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to the premiership is “something that should not be allowed,” considering that Iraq “slid into poverty and chaos” during his previous term.
shafaq.com
